Twenty One Pilots. A new, young, alternative duo that has been revolutionizing mainstream music the past year. You may have heard their songs Stressed Out or Ride. I have even heard “heavydirtysoul” on the alternative music station before. To most people, these guys seem like any other crazy band that is the new fad for young adults. They are nothing special, and no different from any other band that becomes a fad for a few years. However, this assumption is incorrect.
Let's start with their music. Most people have heard their latest album, “Blurryface.” If you listen to the lyrics, you will notice many of their songs hint at emotional instability and also one other surprising thing for those who are unfamiliar with them: biblical references.
Their song, “The Judge,” (off of the “Blurryface” album) hints at seeking redemption for our sins from God. The chorus says, "You're the judge, oh no, set me free. I know my soul's freezin', hell's hot for good reason, so please, take me." This shows him begging God to free him from his sin and the temptation he faces daily. He later states, "I don't know if this song is a surrender or a revel. I don't know if this one is about me or the devil." Explicitly referring to Satan himself. Here are a few more lines from various songs by them with clear biblical references:
"Put away, put away, all the gods your father served today." (“Hometown,” “Blurryface” album)
"You specialize in dying, you hear me screaming 'Father!', and I'm lying here just cryin', so was me with your water." (“Addict With A Pen”, self-titled album)
"I know where you stand, silent in the trees, and that's where I am, silent in the trees. Why won't you speak where I happen to be? Silent in the trees, standing cowardly." (“Trees,” “Vessel” album)
These are just a few songs of theirs that refer to God and biblical sayings. Now you may say, they might not intend that in a spiritual way, it could be a metaphor, analogy or some sort of muse for them. I will ask you this: did you know they are Christians?
Tyler Joseph, singer, songwriter, pianist and bassist of the duo is a practicing Christian, and is open about it. He attended a Christian high school, and his first exposure to music was the band DC Talk. He has tattoos of three lines that are assumed to deal with his faith, however, he keeps the meaning behind them private.
Josh Dun, drummer, trumpet player and gymnast of the band is also a practicing Christian. While there is less information on his faith, he also has a tattoo of a tree that has a specific, faith-based meaning behind it. However, he does not share the meaning very often.
They have commented on a number of rumors and world events, responding only with love and compassion, as we all should as Christians. Click here to read what drummer Josh Dun said in response to the police shooting in Dallas recently. Click here to read what Tyler Joseph has to say about the bombings in Paris earlier this year. And lastly, read here what Tyler Joseph had to say when fans interpreted his silence on gay marriage being legalized in all 50 states to mean he did not love or care for his fans that are a part of the LGBT community. All three of these show their love for God's people, without mentioning him once. It shows how they still love those who choose to live lifestyles they may not agree with, no matter what.
Needless to say, this pair of guys is very different from most popular music artists today. Their music has references that many Christians who are familiar with the bible and references to it will understand, but the rest of society may not (unless they have read/studied the bible.) They are, for lack of a better word, celebrities who live in the limelight and still continue to live out their faith through their actions and through their music, unashamedly. And I think that's something we all could learn from.
